Ramble

by D. B. Goodin

  “Think on it—it’s not every day that you get an all-expenses-paid trip to Music City,” Elias said.

  Alice perked up at the mention of Nashville’s nickname.

  “Assuming that I want to go, how do I get there?” she said.

  “Air travel hasn’t been reliable for years, and driving a car isn’t feasible. It’s too easy to get caught in the wastelands to the west, or the raider camps to the south. I recommend the bullet train,” Elias said.

  “Raiders? Is it safe to leave the area?”

  “Raider camps occupy some former US states, such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. The safety level depends on how you travel. There are two train routes that you can take to get to Nashville. The southern train route goes through the raider camps, but there are armed guards on each carriage, so the raiders don’t bother it. The only problem is that it’s very expensive, and it takes twice as long to get to Nashville because you need to transfer to a car or armored bus in Kentucky, anyway. The second option is the bullet train; it’s quicker but requires a transfer in New Chicago.”

  “Why is the southern route more expensive if it takes longer?” Alice said.

  Lawrence and Elias shared a look.

  “Because it avoids the Ohio Valley, its hostile terrain because of the radiation levels. After the nuclear reactor exploded years ago,” Elias explained.

  “I don’t want to get radiation poisoning!” Alice said, alarmed.

  “The train’s shielded—it’s safe. Hundreds of people travel on that train every day.”

  “This is too much. I can’t decide,” Alice said. Then she got up and started climbing the steps toward the exit.

  “Alice, can we talk about this?” Lawrence said.

  “Your life depends on you leaving New York, Alice!” Elias called.

  She looked back before disappearing into Grace’s club and beyond.

  The next morning, Alice awoke feeling much better. She’d thought about Elias’s proposal. Going to Nashville intrigued her, and she wanted to visit the famous Music City. Alice remembered learning about the history of Nashville. During the late 1700s, the city’s music scene started. Later, acts such as the Fisk Jubilee Singers appeared. Soon the city and singers were world famous. The Queen of England even liked them.

  Alice wasn’t eager to be on a train, and god knows what other modes of transportation it would require to get her to Nashville. She loved New York; her heart ached at the thought of leaving the city, but the opportunity to see Music City was intoxicating.

  I do want to see other parts of the country, and I think I would love Nashville. But I don’t want to get kidnapped by raiders, or worse. Getting radiated is not much better, but if the train is safe, that might be the better choice.

  Alice struggled with the decision all morning.

  After a much-needed shower, she approached the Goth Queen’s private suite. In addition to a bedroom, the suite contained a sitting room where Grace often entertained friends. Alice heard another voice she recognized: it was Nigel Watson.

  I’m glad that he’s here, Alice thought.

  “Hey, Mr. Watson,” Alice said, entering the room.

  Nigel looked surprised to see her.

  “Hey kid.” Nigel gave her a hug. “Grace and I were just getting caught up on things. How are you holding up?”

  “I’m better now, but I’m not so sure about this AI business. And traveling to Nashville—that’s making me nervous.”

  “You don’t have to be alone,” Nigel said as he took something out of his bag and handed it to Alice.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s a refurbished visor, but it’s still newer and more advanced than the model that got damaged. Best of all, I could restore Doris from a backup taken just before the E-Bomb went off, so to Doris, it’s just like nothing happened.”

  I wish that were true for me. Now I freak out when I see white . . . and thinking about Desmond’s death . . .

  “I . . . don’t know what to say. Thank you, Mr. Watson,” Alice said, giving Mr. Watson a hug. “I’m uncertain about traveling to Nashville. Getting there will be an adventure. Normally I would be up for that, but I’m a mess right now.”

  “I hear you, kid. When I was a teenager, I had to travel to the other side of the world to battle an evil AI. I did it for the greater good, but it was scary.”

  “Wow—that’s incredible Mr. Watson.”

  “Sometimes we need to do things that make us feel uncomfortable, but I think we need your help in Nashville. You have a particular talent for figuring stuff out and landing on your feet. Your actions on the day of the E-Bomb proved that. I need someone I trust to find the brain of the AI collective.”

  “How do we even defeat something like that?”

  “The AIs are connected; they have to be disabled at the same time. In less than a week’s time, MuseFam will bring online the most powerful AI in history. If that happens, there will be little we can do to stop it,” Nigel said.

  “What happens if we don’t stop it?”

  “Ever since MuseFam took over CMC, a lot of strange things have been going on. For instance, people who have shown no signs of mental illness or stability problems have been doing things like throwing themselves off bridges or getting electrocuted by equipment controlled by MuseFam technology.”

  “That sounds crazy—how can equipment kill people or control them?”

  “The common denominator is CMC. These people were employees of CMC at the time of the MuseFam buyout, and these people were critics of MuseFam and in high-level positions. These people also had cybernetic implants.”

  “Do you think these implants had any connection to this AI?”

  Nigel rubbed his chin, then looked at Grace, then back at Alice.

  “It’s possible, but I’m not sure. That’s where you can help.”

  “We need representation in Nashville that we can trust,” Grace said.

  “What about Walt?” Alice said.

  “He’s being watched. Besides, he’s too high-level,” Nigel said.

  “There’s another problem with this plan. MuseFam knows me too. They did this to me. My hair is white,” Alice said pointing to her hair.

  Grace gave her a confused look. She handed Alice a mirror. “I think you better look at your hair.”

  Alice snatched the mirror.

  “How do you feel about an appearance change? Do you want to become blonde or a redhead?” Grace said.

  “Like, dye my hair?”

  “Not just that—we will give you a complete makeover. You will look different enough to fool the MuseFam goons,” Grace explained.

  “I can live with that.”

  “Okay, assuming that is a conditional yes, turn your visor on. Doris will fill you in on the details,” Nigel said.

  Alice turned on the visor and put it on. The interface was different, and the visor’s operating software loaded a lot faster. Other than that, Alice didn’t notice much change.

  “Alice, is that you?” Doris said.

  “Doris, it’s good to have you back,” Alice said.

  “I haven’t gone anywhere, but I’m glad to be missed. Would you like me to check your messages?”

  “Yes, that would be great, Doris.”

  “You have thirty-nine new messages. Would you like me to play them or just list them?”

  “List them, please.”

  Most of the messages were from Lindsey and her mother. There were several others from Roxy, Grace, and Lawrence. The last messages were from Nigel and Simon.

  “Doris, play the message from Nigel.”

  “Speak pass phrase to decode message,” Doris said in a flat monotone.

  Alice provided the pass phrase, and then her visor filled with several pop-up messages with information. She saw an open-ended train ticket, an account with over twenty thousand dollars. and a file labeled “Only open in case of emergency.” Another file called “MuseFam Investigation” caught her eye. She
opened it and found details about the mysterious death of several CMC employees. Each employee had complained of missing time, or they had reported feeling strange compulsions to do things they normally wouldn’t—such as self-injury. And all of them now hated the color white.

  Using hand gestures to interact with her visor, she put all the information back into the file container.

  “I have the information, Mr. Watson,” Alice said.

  “Does that mean you will accept the mission?”

  “Yes, but I would feel better if someone had my back.”

  “You will have help. Lawrence is assigning you two bodyguards, and I will monitor you,” Nigel said.

  Alice gave Nigel a nod.

  “Excellent—let’s discuss this more during breakfast. Barry is making pancakes,” Grace said.

  Several hours later, Alice looked in the mirror after her makeover.

  I think I will enjoy being a redhead.

  Grace had even changed the color of her eyebrows to match her new hair.

  Alice called Lindsey and then her mother. She told both that she had a new job working for a new club owner that required travel, and she would call them whenever she could. Lindsey promised to take care of Alfred.

  Alice sighed heavily after hanging up. She was so tired of the emotional rollercoaster she had experienced these past weeks.

  It’s time for a change.

  Lawrence, Nigel, Grace, and Barry were waiting for her in front of Grace’s club.

  “A pair of US Marshals will accompany you to Nashville. Both are good men. I cashed in a lot of favors, but your safety is worth it,” Lawrence said.

  Grace handed a suitcase to Alice. “I’ve packed new clothes and other things to make the trip more comfortable. Call us when you’re safe in Nashville,” Grace said.

  Alice gave Grace a hug. “Thanks for being the sister I never had,” Alice told her.

  “Be safe, sis,” Grace said as she wiped some tears away.

  Alice nodded, then looked away.

  “The 2:25 out of Penn Station is about to leave,” Lawrence said.

  Alice gave Nigel a hug.

  “Keep in touch, and call if you need anything,” Nigel said.

  “I will.”

  Alice followed Lawrence out of Queenie’s. She turned to examine the outside of the club one last time.

  I have a bad feeling that I will never see this place again. I hope I can come back . . . someday, Alice thought.

  Lawrence placed her suitcase in the trunk and was about to get into the car when a gold Neon Five-Thousand roared past, slammed on the brakes, backed up, and then blocked their path. Lindsey ran out of the vehicle and headed toward Alice. She was carrying Alfred’s carrier.

  “Good, you’re still here,” Lindsey said as she pulled Alice out of earshot of everyone else. “I know we said our goodbyes, but I wanted to see you before you got on that train.” Lindsey stood back and looked at Alice. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, travel across the country over hostile parts of the country. And for work?”

  “These people are my friends,” Alice said.

  “I’m your oldest friend. and I think you should reconsider. I have a bad feeling about you getting on that train. You’ve never been outside of the area—you don’t know what’s out there.”

  “Don’t worry, Lindsey, Lawrence has provided me with two bodyguards. They are going to meet me at Penn Station.”

  Lindsey gave Alice a concerned look.

  “If I can’t talk you out of it, contact me when you arrive.”

  “If you’re that concerned, you could always come with me,” Alice said, giving Lindsey a smile.

  Lindsey seemed to consider for a moment.

  “That would be epic—but I have a life here. I can’t abandon my husband.”

  “I thought Alfred was staying with you,” Alice said, pointing to the carrier.

  “He started acting strange after I spoke with you. He wouldn’t stop crying.”

  Alice took Alfred out of the carrier and held him. He curled up and started purring in her arms. “He seems content now.”

  “That’s so strange,” Lindsey said. “Alfred was a different cat moments ago. He was howling.”

  “He misses his mommy. I can’t believe I didn’t consider bringing Alfred,” Alice said.

  “Well, you’ve had a lot on your mind. Wait—I almost forgot Alfred’s goody bag.” Lindsey handed Alice a small bag. It contained a small portion of food, some treats, and some cat toys. Alice put Alfred back in his carrier and took it.

  “We need to be leaving, Alice,” Lawrence said.

  “Take this—it’s not much but use it in good health.”

  Lindsey handed Alice a small rectangular piece of plastic with a microchip at the end. It was about the size of Alice’s pinky finger.

  “I can’t accept more money from you,” Alice said.

  Lindsey put her hand over Alice’s. “Take it and go—you have a train to catch.”

  Alice took a few hesitant steps toward Lawrence, stopped, then ran back and embraced her friend.

  “I miss you already, old friend, and thanks again . . . for everything.

  Fifteen minutes later, Lawrence pulled up to the drop-off area at Penn Station. A tall man wearing a cowboy hat who looked to be about Lawrence’s age opened the passenger-side door; beside him was a younger burly man, perhaps a few years older than Alice, who was dressed like he was headed for the golf course.

  Lawrence got out of the car and approached Alice. “Meet your bodyguards,” he said. “Take care of yourself, kid. Call if you need anything.”

  Lawrence helped Alice gather her suitcase and Alfred’s carrier. She waved, then followed the two men into the station.

  6

  Alice waited for the Nashville-bound Ohio Valley express train with her two bodyguards.

  “How long do you have to babysit me?” Alice asked them.

  “Our orders are to escort you out of the region, and that is what we intend to do,” the man with the cowboy hat replied.

  “All the way to Nashville?”

  “No—we will make a transfer from the Capital Express to the Ohio Valley line in Washington, DC. We can take you as far as New Chicago.”

  “What do I call you, anyway? You have been the only one to even speak to me. The other guy seems to be in a foul mood—all the time.”

  The older man gave her an apprising look. “I’m Robert, but you can call me Bob. The other guy is Jack.”

  “It’s good to make your acquaintance, Bob,” Alice said holding out a hand.

  Bob nodded, then shook her hand. Jack returned Alice’s good nature with a sneer, which Alice returned in kind.

  “Also, what’s up with the suit?”

  “We work for the US Marshals Service, but like most guys in law enforcement these days, we take side jobs, such as protecting important people.”

  “Are you both from the US Marshals Service?

  “Affirmative,” Bob said.

  “Then why isn’t Jack wearing a suit? He looks like he is about to play a round of golf.”

  Jack shot Alice an annoyed look but said nothing.

  “While on duty we wear suits, but we are off duty now. I wear a suit because it reminds me of my responsibility to get you to New Chicago,” Bob said.

  Alice smiled; it touched her that this man who she’d never met cared for her safety.

  “How do you know Lawrence, anyway?” Alice said.

  “Larry and I go way back. We went to high school together, and he married my sister.”

  “Roxy’s your sister?”

  “Yes, Roxanne is a free spirit, and she fell in love with Lawrence.”

  “I’m getting a coffee, be right back,” Jack said as he hurried away.

  “He didn’t even ask us if we wanted anything. That guy is a prick,” Alice said.

  “He can be temperamental, but he’s a good guy. He’s not my first choice for this mission, though.”

>   “Why not?”

  “He blames the Purists for the E-Bomb incident. We know that Scotty Vanderbilt was acting alone. But certain people in law enforcement believe that he was acting on the behest of the Purists. Jack is one of those people.”

  Nobody should have died in that E-Bomb blast, Alice’s inner voice said.

  “I didn’t hurt those people—shut up about it already!” Alice blurted.

  Did I just say that out loud?

  Bob and several nearby passengers gave Alice concerned looks.

  “I know you didn’t, Alice,” Bob said.

  “Oh, sorry . . . I was just talking to myself.”

  You need to be careful—there are people who want blood.

  Alice walked over to a nearby train route map that showed routes across the Eastern United States as well as the newer territories that had formed after several states seceded from the union. Most states in the Northeastern portion of the United States were still intact; however, many states—such as West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina—had seceded a long time ago and were now known as the Eastward Territories. A skull and crossbones was drawn over states in the southeastern portion of the United States.

  Alice pointed to the areas on the map with the skull and crossbones symbol. “Hey, Bob?” She called. He walked over. “What happened here?”

  Bob looked at the map briefly before speaking. “Don’t they teach you kids anything at school anymore? They irradiated this area during the Great War of 2050. The president of the United States blamed Russia. We were so sure that we launched a retaliation strike.”

  “We learned about the Great War in school, but there was nothing in our study material about Russia being involved.”

  “That’s because Russia shot our nukes out of orbit before they hit their targets. Our intelligence wasn’t as good as we thought.”

  “Yes, I remember hearing about several nuclear plant meltdowns and the conspiracy theories that followed, and as far as I know, either could have happened, but no one offered proof. Neither the Russian nor the US government has confirmed it. I don’t know what to believe,” Alice said.